Hell’s gate is a wonderful place to stop and spend a couple of hours exploring while driving BC’s Fraser Canyon on Hwy 1. Hell’s gate is 223km from Kamloops BC, or 54km from Hope BC through the picturesque Fraser Canyon. The Fraser Canyon portion of Hwy 1 used to be the only way up and down the canyon between Hope and Kamloops making it a vital transportation corridor. In 1986 the first sections of the new Hwy 5 known as the Coquihalla Hwy opened and traffic quickly migrated from the old Hwy 1 to the new and more direct Hwy 5.  

Parking here can be tight, especially for RV’s at the time these photos were taken I barely got my old 26ft RV in the lot. If you do get in, then a spectacular 10min cable car ride awaits you to the bottom terminal across the Fraser River. 

As the cable car gently inches closer to the bottom terminal you can see the complex below, and the rushing river in front of it. 

The Fraser river in this area is very turbulent and narrow as it winds through the canyon. The walls tower above the river and force it through a very narrow passage spaning only 35meters. Because of the trubulent nature and the in hospitableness of this part of the river this area was forever called Hell’s Gate. The province trying to increase fish spawing installed these fish ladders up and down the canyon.

You can see how turbulent the waters are just in front of the fish ladder. These ladders provide a protected way alowing the fish to get past the rough spots in the river. While in the ladders they rest and get ready for the upcoming struggle still to come in order to get to the spawning grounds.

Here is a down stream look of the Fraser River from the Hell’s gate complex.

And here is an Upstream look at the fish ladder and the river.

While at the Hell’s gate complex at the bottom of the River valley, there is an assortment of touristy shops and attractions. Including food and candy, and in this picture an opportunity to pan for gold.  Be prepared to shell out some money to partake in the attractions. There are some hiking trails to the rear of the complex that take you into the backcountry surrounding the complex. 

All in all Hell’s gate is a great place to stop with the family, take a break from the open road and explore a magical place that once stunned our forefathers with its magnificence.  It is a tourist trap! but I think the cost was well worth the memories. These pictures are from 10 years ago and I still smile when I look at them. Hopefully my kids won’t be too upset that I posted them.

 

Happy Trails

the Glampurs